Pokemon GO 'Shadow Raids' and 'Rising Shadows' event detailed

Team GO Rocket’s coming to town!

Team GO Rocket’s machinations have led them to their latest and greatest plan: taking over Gyms with their Shadow Pokémon!

In Shadow Raids, Trainers can take on powerful Shadow Raid Bosses, and have the chance to catch new Pokémon partners—if they can successfully defeat the Shadow Raid Boss, that is. Trainers can gather their friends for a better chance at victory in Shadow Raids.

While Team GO Rocket will be taking over a number of Gyms, those they’ve left untouched may still host other raids.

Trainers cannot join Shadow Raids using Remote Raid Passes, and Shadow Raids do not reward a team bonus for Premier Balls.

A Shadowy Strength

At Gyms hosting Shadow Raids, you’ll find that Team GO Rocket has placed especially powerful Shadow Pokémon as Raid Bosses.

Three-star and five-star Shadow Raid Bosses will grow enraged as you battle them, boosting their attack and defense. Continue to hold your ground and weaken the Shadow Raid Bosses to subdue them.

The Power of Purification

You can subdue Shadow Raid Bosses using Purified Gems, a new item that can be assembled from Shadow Shards.

Shadow Shards are mysterious gem pieces that may be dropped by Team GO Rocket. Gather enough shards to use Professor Willow’s newly invented Shard Refiner, and you’ll be rewarded with a Purified Gem.

There are multiple ways Purified Gems can assist your battle against enraged Shadow Raid Bosses.

When you use a Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss’s attack and defense will be lowered temporarily. This can give you the opening you need!

You and your fellow Trainers can use more than one Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid. If used at the same time, their effects will stack.

If enough Purified Gems are used, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss will be subdued—returned to its non-enraged state—which might give you the edge you need to defeat it!

Learn more about Shadow Raids, Shadow Raid Bosses, and using Purified Gems by visiting the Help Center.

Rising Shadows: Monday, May 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time

Shadow Mewtwo will return to Pokémon GO in Shadow Raids. Also, for the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Shadow Mewtwo—if you’re lucky! Shadow Mewtwo will appear in five-star Shadow Raids from Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 8:00 p.m local time.

Five-star Shadow Raids

• Shadow Mewtwo

Shadow Raids

The following Pokémon will be the first to appear in Shadow Raids! Gyms not under Team GO Rocket control may still host other raids. From Monday, May 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time, a majority of Gyms will host Shadow Raids. From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time, Saturday, May 27, 2023, Team GO Rocket activity will spike, taking over all raids.

One-star Shadow Raids

• Shadow Poliwag
• Shadow Machop
• Shadow Bellsprout
• Shadow Beldum

Three-star Shadow Raids

• Shadow Bayleef
• Shadow Quilava
• Shadow Croconaw
• Shadow Sneasel

The following Pokémon will appear in raids. Gyms may be taken over by either Shadow Raid Bosses or one of the Raid Bosses below.

One-star raids

• Clefairy
• Tentacool
• Marill
• Skrelp
• Popplio

Three-star raids

• Magneton
• Lapras
• Mawile
• Empoleon

Five-star raids

• Regigigas^
• Tapu Fini^^

^^Tapu Fini will appear in raids until Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., while ^Regigigas will appear in raids starting Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

Mega Raids

Mega Pinsir^^ Mega Altaria^

^^Mega Pinsir will appear in raids until Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. while ^Mega Altaria will appear in raids starting Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.

• Ekans
• Golbat
• Koffing
• Houndour
• Poochyena
• Stunky
• Skorupi
• Hisuian Qwilfish
• Scraggy

Event bonus

• Team GO Rocket will appear more frequently at PokéStops and in balloons.

Field Research

Tasks focused on defeating Team GO Rocket and catching Pokémon will be available! Trainers can earn a Mysterious Component and Stardust as rewards.

Seasonal Special Research: Let’s GO

Throughout Season 10: Rising Heroes, free Special Research will be available for Trainers! Willow’s back with some news on Team GO Rocket’s latest plans…and he has a gift for you. You can claim the Special Research until the end of Season 10: Rising Heroes on June 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Avatar pose

• The ‘Rising Hero’ new avatar pose will be available from the event onwards!